Magneto-resistive effect element, magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect, magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect and magnetic memory

ABSTRACT

A giant magneto-resistive effect element includes a lamination layer structure portion ( 10 ) in which at least a free layer ( 4 ) the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer ( 2 ), an antiferromagnetic layer ( 1 ) for fixing the magnetization of the fixed layer ( 2 ) and a nonmagnetic layer ( 3 ) interposed between the free layer ( 4 ) and the fixed layer ( 2 ) are laminated with each other. A sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of the lamination layer structure portion ( 10 ) and the lamination layer structure portion ( 10 ) has disposed thereon a high-resistance layer (R) which crosses a path of the sense current, whereby an element resistance can be increased and a magneto-resistance change amount can be increased. Thus, a magneto-resistive effect element, a magneto-resistive effect type magnetic sensor, a magneto-resistive effect type magnetic head and a magnetic memory become able to increase a magneto-resistive change amount.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority to Japanese Application(s) No(s). P2001-162856 filed May 30, 2001, which application(s) is/are incorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted by law.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to magneto-resistive effect devices, and particularly to a magneto-resistance effect element effectively utilizing a giant magneto-resistive effect (GMR effect) having a what might be called a spin-valve configuration, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect, a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect and a magnetic memory.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a magnetic sensor comprised of a magneto-resistive effect element and a magnetic head using such a magnetic sensor as a magnetic sensing portion are widely employed as a transducer to read out a magnetic field of a recorded signal from a magnetic recording medium, for example, at large linear density.

Magneto-resistive effect elements according to the related-art generally make effective use of an anisotropic magneto-resistive effect in which a resistance of a magneto-resistive effect element changes in proportion to a square of a cosine of an angle formed between the magnetization of the element and the direction in which a sense current, which flows through the element, is conducted.

In recent years, magneto-resistive effect elements using a magneto-resistive effect based upon a GMR (giant magneto-resistive) effect, in particular, a spin-valve effect in which a resistance change of an element through which a sense current is flowing is generated due to a spin-dependence of electric conduction electrons between magnetic layers disposed through a nonmagnetic layer and a spin-dependence scattering that occurs at the interfaces of respective layers have become popular increasingly.

Since the magneto-resistive effect element using the magneto-resistive effect based upon this spin-valve effect (hereinafter simply referred to as an “SV type GMR element”) can exhibit a resistance change larger than that of the above-mentioned magneto-resistive effect element using the anisotropic magneto-resistive effect, the SV type GMR element is able to make up a highly-sensitive magnetic sensor and a highly-sensitive magnetic head.

In order to record data on a magnetic recording medium at recording density of up to about 50 gigabytes/inch², a magnetic head using a magneto-resistive effect element as a magnetic sensing portion may have a configuration which is what might be called a CIP (current in-plane) configuration in which a sense current flows to the plane direction of a thin film. However, when it is requested that data should be recorded on a magnetic recording medium at higher recording density, e.g., recording density of 100 gigabytes/inch², it is requested that a track width should be reduced to a track width of approximately 0.1 μm. According to the above-mentioned CIP configuration, even when the latest dry process is effectively utilized as a present patterning technique to manufacture magneto-resistive effect element, there is a limitation on forming such magneto-resistive effect element which can realize the above-mentioned high recording density and which can also realize the above-mentioned narrow track width. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned CIP configuration, since it is necessary that a resistance should be lowered, a cross-sectional area of a current path has to be increased. As a result, there is a limitation on making such a narrow track width.

On the other hand, in the SV type GMR element, there has been proposed a GMR element having a configuration which is what might be called a “CPP (current perpendicular to plane) configuration in which a sense current flows in the direction perpendicular to the film plane.

A TMR (tunnel magneto-resistive) element using a tunnel current has been examined, and in recent years, spin-valve elements and multilayer film type elements have been examined (e.g., see Japanese patent translation No 11-509956, Japanese laid-open patent application No. 2000-30222, Japanese laid-open patent application No. 2000-228004 and The Abstract of the Lectures of the 24th Meeting of The Society for Applied Magnetics of Japan 2000, page 427).

Since the GMR element having the CPP configuration allows the sense current to flow in the direction perpendicular to the film plane as described above, this giant magneto-resistive effect element cannot exhibit a sufficiently high sensitivity when it is applied to the spin-valve type film configuration having the CIP configuration in which a sense current flows in the direction extending along the film plane. The reason for this will be described below. That is, while the giant magneto-resistive effect element having the CIP configuration utilizes a resistance change caused by a spin-dependence scattering that occurs when a sense current flows mainly in the direction parallel to an electric conduction layer in the spin-valve type film configuration and to the interface of the electric conduction layer, when the giant magneto-resistive effect element has the CPP configuration, a sense current flows in the direction perpendicular to the film plane with the result that this effect cannot act effectively.

On the other hand, according to the reports, it is to be understood that the resistance change could be improved in accordance with the increase of the thickness of the free layer in the spin-valve configuration (see the above-mentioned Abstract of the Lectures of The Society for Applied Magnetics of Japan).

However, since a distance in which electric conduction electrons are able to continue spinning is limited, a resistance change cannot be improved sufficiently by increasing the thickness of the free layer.

Furthermore, in order to increase the sensitivity of the magneto-resistive effect element serving as the magnetic head, it is necessary that a product of a saturated magnetization Ms of a free layer and a film thickness t, i.e., a value of Ms×t should be decreased. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the above-mentioned method of improving the resistance change by increasing the film thickness of the free layer is not a present essential solution for realizing high recording density, very small recording and reproducing bits and high sensitivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforesaid aspects, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magneto-resistive effect element which can be made high in sensitivity by increasing an element resistance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a magneto-resistive effect element which is able to realize high recording density and to microminiaturize recording and reproducing bits when it is applied to a process for processing a moving picture having a long play time.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect and a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect using this magneto-resistive effect element which can read out recorded signals from the above very small areas at high sensitivity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electromagnetic transducer element for a magnetic memory, i.e., a memory element in which data can be recorded at high recording density with high accuracy.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spin-valve type giant magneto-resistive effect element (SV type GMR element) having a CPP (current perpendicular to plane) type configuration including a lamination layer structure portion in which at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of the fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the free layer and the fixed layer are laminated and in which a sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of the lamination layer structure portion.

In particular, the above-mentioned lamination layer structure portion has disposed thereon a high resistance layer that crosses a path of the sense current in the CPP type configuration.

The high-resistance layer is disposed at another position other than interfaces between the layers constituting the lamination layer structure portion, i.e., on both major surfaces in the lamination layer direction of the lamination layer structure portion or inside the free layer, the fixed layer and the antiferromagnetic layer, that is, over the whole regions of the electric conduction path along these layer surfaces.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention.

More specifically, there is provided a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect including a magneto-resistive effect element, the magneto-resistive effect element including a lamination layer structure portion in which at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of the fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the free layer and the fixed layer are laminated and in which a sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of the lamination layer structure portion. According to this magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect, the lamination layer structure portion has disposed thereon an high-resistance layer in which very small electric conduction areas are dispersedly formed across a path of the sense current.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect according to the present invention includes the magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention as its magnetic sensing portion.

More specifically, there is provided a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect in which a magneto-resistive effect element is disposed between first and second magnetic shields, the magneto-resistive effect element is a giant magneto-resistive effect element including a lamination layer structure portion in which at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of the fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the free layer and the fixed layer are laminated and in which a sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of the lamination layer structure portion. According to this magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect, the lamination layer structure portion has disposed thereon an high-resistance layer in which very small electric conduction areas are distributed across a path of the sense current.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic memory which is comprised of a bit line, a word line and a memory element disposed in response to an intersection at which the bit line and the word line cross each other. In this magnetic memory, the memory element is comprised of a giant magneto-resistive effect element including a lamination layer structure portion in which at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of the fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the free layer and the fixed layer are laminated and in which a sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of the lamination layer structure portion and the lamination layer structure portion has disposed thereon an high-resistance layer in which very small electric conduction areas are dispersedly formed across a path of the sense current.

The SV type GMR element having the CPP type configuration according to the present invention can increase an element resistance sufficiently, can increase a resistance change amount and can improve sensitivity while a resistance change ratio can be maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fundamental configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a magneto-resistive effect element having the configuration shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fundamental configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a magneto-resistive effect element having the configuration shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fundamental configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing further another embodiment of a magneto-resistive effect element having the configuration shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fundamental configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing yet another embodiment of a magneto-resistive effect element having the configuration shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect according to further another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of an high-resistance layer according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating another example of an high-resistance layer according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a magnetic sensor or a magnetic head according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating another example of a magnetic sensor or a magnetic head according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating further another example of a magnetic sensor or a magnetic head according to the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First, a magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention will be described.

A magneto-resistive effect element according to the present invention is an SV type GMR having a CPP type configuration as mentioned before and has a lamination layer structure portion in which there are laminated at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing a magnetization of this fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the free layer and the fixed layer. This lamination layer structure portion may include high-resistance layers in which pin-hole-like or net-like very small conducting areas of opposite patterns are dispersedly formed across an electric conduction path of a sense current.

Further, when a flux guide layer is disposed in such a manner that it may be magnetically combined with the free layer, in this flux guide layer and/or on a surface of the flux guide layer as is opposite to the free layer may be disposed the high resistance layers crossing wholly the electric conduction path of the sense current. With respect to the number of the high-resistance layers, there may be disposed not less than one high-resistance layer, e.g., a plurality of high-resistance layers. In actual practice, when the sum total of the number of the high-resistance layers increases excessively, it becomes impossible to apply a magneto-resistive effect element to a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect.

In actual practice, an element resistance of a CPP type GMR element should be less than 700 mΩ·μm² because the CPP type GMR element has many restrictions imposed thereon when it is in use.

SV type GMR elements according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B to FIGS. 4A, 4B. Throughout FIGS. 1A, 1B to 4A, 4B, FIGS. 1A to 4A are cross-sectional views showing fundamental configurations of SV type GMR elements according to the embodiments of the present invention, and FIGS. 1B to 4B are schematic cross-sectional views showing positions at which high-resistance layers S are disposed in the above-mentioned configurations of the SV type GMR elements, respectively. Accordingly, in FIGS. 1B to 4B, all high-resistance layers S need not always be disposed and at least one and more of high-resistance layers R may be disposed.

FIG. 1A shows an example of an SV type GMR element having a configuration which is what is called a bottom type configuration. In this case, FIG. 1A shows an example of an SV type GMR element in which a lamination layer structure portion 10 comprising an antiferromagnetic layer 1, a fixed layer 2, a nonmagnetic layer 3 and a free layer 4, each of which has conductivity, is deposited on a first electrode 31 and in which a second electrode 31 is disposed on the free layer 4.

According to the present invention, in the SV type GMR element having the above-mentioned configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 1B, high-resistance layers S01 and S02 can be disposed on both the surfaces of this lamination layer structure portion 10, i.e., on a lower surface of the antiferromagnetic layer 1 and an upper surface of the free layer 4 in FIG. 1B. Further, high-resistance layers S1, S2, S4 can be disposed over the whole areas of the film planes within the antiferromagnetic layer 1, the fixed layer 2 and the free layer 4.

In the embodiment of the magneto-resistive effect element shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the magneto-resistive effect element has a lamination layer ferri-magnetic layer structure, i.e., so-called synthetic configuration in which the fixed layer 2 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is comprised of bi-layer ferromagnetic layers 21 and 22 laminated through a nonmagnetic interposed layer 23 as shown in FIG. 2A. In this case, high resistance layers R21, R22 can be disposed within the ferromagnetic layers 21 and 22 as shown in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the magneto-resistive effect element has a so-called dual type configuration in which a first lamination layer structure portion 10 a based upon a so-called bottom type SV type GMR comprising a first ferromagnetic layer la, a first fixed layer 2 a, a first nonmagnetic layer 3 a and a free layer 4 and a second lamination layer structure portion 10 b based upon a top type SV type GMR in which a second nonmagnetic layer 3 b, a second fixed layer 2 b and a second antiferromagnetic layer 1 b are laminated as shown in FIG. 3A. The free layer 4 is made common to the first lamination layer structure portion 10 a and the second lamination layer structure portion 10 b.

Also in this case, high-resistance layers S01 and S02 can be disposed on the lower surface and the upper surface on the opposite side of the boundary surfaces between the first antiferromagnetic layers 1 a and 1 b of the lamination layer structure portions 10 a and 10 b and the respective fixed layers 2 a and 2 b. At the same time, high-resistance layers R1 a and R1 b can be disposed on the first and second antiferromagnetic layers 1 a and 1 b, and high-resistance layers S2 a and S2 b can be disposed on the first and second fixed layers 2 a and 2 b.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the magneto-resistive effect element has a synthetic configuration in which the first and second fixed layers 2 a and 2 b are comprised of respective bi-layer ferromagnetic layers 21 a, 22 a and 21 b, 22 b which are laminated through nonmagnetic interposed layers 23 a and 23 b in the dual type configuration shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this case, high-resistance layers R21 a, R22 a and R21 b, S22 b can be disposed within the respective ferromagnetic layers 21 a, 22 a and 21 b, 22 b of the two fixed layers 2 a and 2 b.

In the above-mentioned respective embodiments, the magneto-resistive effect element may be formed as the CPP type configuration by allowing a sense current to flow through the first and second electrodes 31 and 32.

In FIGS. 2A, 2B to FIGS. 4A, 4B, elements and parts identical to those of FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted by identical reference numerals and therefore need not be described in detail.

Furthermore, the SV type GMR element according to the present invention or the magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect and the magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect, each of which uses this SV type GMR element as a magnetic sensing portion thereof, may be modified as a flux guide structure including a conductive flux guide layer.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show the above-mentioned embodiments of the modified SV type GMR element, the modified magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect and the modified magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect, respectively.

In this flux guide structure, a flux guide layer 81 is magnetically combined to a free layer and a front end of this flux guide layer 81 is opposed to a forward surface 80 into which a detection magnetic field is introduced. That is, in the magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect, for example, the front end of the flux guide layer 81 is opposed to a contact surface by which the magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect is brought in contact with a magnetic recording medium. Alternatively, in a flying type magnetic head, for example, the front end of the flux guide layer 81 is opposed to a forward surface which serves as an ABS (air bearing surface).

According to this flux guide structure, since the lamination layer structure portions 10, 10 a, 10 b of the magneto-resistive effect element body are disposed at positions retreated from the forward surface 80 and the detection magnetic field is introduced into the free layer 4 by the flux guide layer 81, it is possible to avoid shortening a service life of the magneto-resistive effect element and to avoid an occurrence of noises due to abrasion or friction heat generated when the magneto-resistive effect element body is brought in contact with a magnetic recording medium, for example.

An example shown in FIG. 5 illustrates the case of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect in which the lamination layer structure potion 10 of the SV type GMR element body, which has been described so far with reference to FIG. 1B, is disposed between opposing the first magnetic shield cum electrodes 41 and second magnetic cum shield 42 at the position retreated from the forward surface 80 in the depth direction, the flux guide layer 81 is formed over at least part of the free layer 4 of this lamination layer structure portion 10, e.g., the whole surface and the front end of the flux guide layer 81 is opposed to the forward surface 80 to introduce a detection signal magnetic field into the free layer 4 through this flux guide layer 81.

In this case, similarly to the structure shown in FIG. 1B, high-resistance layers Sf, Sf0, which cross the whole of the electric conduction path of the sense current in the flux guide layer 81, are disposed inside the flux guide layer 81 and/or on the flux guide layer 81 at its surface opposite to the free layer 4.

In this case, in order that the sense current may flow through the lamination layer structure portion 10, a second electrode 32 is limitedly interposed between the flux guide layer 81 and the second magnetic shield cum electrode 42 at a corresponding portion on the lamination layer structure portion 10.

An insulating material 52 such as Al₂O₃ or SiO₂ is filled into the other portion between the first magnetic shield cum electrode 41 and the second magnetic shield cum electrode 42.

In FIG. 5, elements and part identical to those of FIG. 1B are denoted by identical reference numerals and therefore need not be described in detail.

An example shown in FIG. 6 shows the case of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect in which the lamination layer structure portion 10 having the synthetic structure, which has been described so far with reference to FIG. 2B, is disposed between opposing the first magnetic shield cum electrode 41 and the second magnetic shield cum electrode 42 at a position retreated from the forward surface 80 in the depth direction, the flux guide layer 81 is formed over at least part of, for example, the whole surface of the free layer 4 of this lamination layer structure portion 10 and the front end of this flux guide layer 81 is opposed to the forward surface 80 to introduce a detection signal magnetic field into the free layer 4 through the flux guide layer 81.

In FIG. 6, elements and parts identical to those of FIG. 2B are denoted by identical reference numerals and therefore need not be described in detail.

An example shown in FIG. 7 shows the case of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect in which the lamination structure portions 10 a and 10 b having the dual type configuration, which have been described so far with reference to FIG. 3B, are disposed between the opposing the first magnetic shield cum electrode 41 and the second magnetic shield cum electrode 42. In this case, first and second free layers 4 a and 4 b are respectively disposed in the two lamination layer structure portions 10 a and 10 b, and the flux guide layer 81 is disposed between the first and second free layers 4 a and 4 b.

In this case, on the flux guide layer 81 side of the opposite side of the interface between the first and second nonmagnetic layers 3 a and 3 b, there can be provided high-resistance layers Sfa and Sfb which cross the whole of the electric conduction path of the sense current. Furthermore, in the flux guide layer 81, there can be provided an high-resistance layer Sf which crosses the whole of the electric conduction path of the sense current.

An example shown in FIG. 8 shows the case of a magneto-resistive effect element, a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect or a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect in which the lamination layer structure portions 10 a and 10 b having the synthetic structure, which have been described so far with reference to FIG. 4B, are disposed between the opposing the first magnetic shield cum electrode 41 and the second magnetic shield cum electrode 42 in a dual type configuration fashion.

In FIG. 8, elements and parts identical to those of FIG. 3B are denoted by identical reference numerals and therefore need not be described in detail.

Then, as schematically shown in FIG. 11, hard magnetic layers 50, which are magnetized for applying a stabilization bias to the GMR elements 20 having the above-mentioned respective lamination layer structure portions shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B to FIGS. 4A, 4B so that the magnetization state crossing the detection magnetic field may be set under the condition that the detection magnetic field is not applied to its free layer (hereinafter referred to as a “no-magnetic field state”) are disposed across the GMR element 20.

In the flux guide structures, which have been described so far with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the similar hard magnetic layers 50, for example, are disposed on both sides of the GMR element and the flux guide layer combined to the GMR element.

Magnetization directions of the fixed layers 2, 2 a, 2 b and the antiferromagnetic layers 1, 1 a, 1 b, which are combined with the fixed layers 2, 2 a, 2 b in a ferromagnetic exchange combination fashion, are set to the same direction which crosses the magnetization direction of the above-mentioned free layer in the no-magnetic field state.

Then, a detection magnetic field is applied to the lamination layer direction of the lamination layer structure portion along the direction perpendicular to (intersecting) the sense current I_(S) and the bias magnetic field, and the resistance change generated by this detection external magnetic field is obtained as an electrical output by the sense current I_(S).

The antiferromagnetic layers 1, 1 a, 1 b in the above-mentioned respective SV type GMRs according to the present invention may be made of PtMn, NiMn, PdPtMn, Ir—Mn, Rh—Mn, Fe—Mn, Ni oxide, Co oxide, Fe oxide and the like.

The ferromagnetic layer of the fixed layer 2 may be formed of ferromagnetic layers made of Co, Fe, Ni or alloy of not less than two materials of them or ferromagnetic layers made of a combination of different compositions, e.g., Fe and Cr ferromagnetic layers.

When the free layer 4, 4 a, 4 b is made of a CoFe film, a NiFe film, a CoFeB film or a lamination layer film of the CoFe film, the NiFe film and the CoFeB film, e.g., CoFe/NiFe or CoFe/NiFe/CoFe film, it is possible to realize a larger MR ratio and a soft magnetic characteristic.

Nonmagnetic layers such as the nonmagnetic layers 3, 3 a, 3 b and the nonmagnetic interposed layers 23, 23 a, 23 b having the lamination layer ferri-magnetic layer structures may be made of Cu, Au, Ag, Pt and Cu—Ni, Cu—Ag, Ru, Cr, Rh and Ir.

The flux guide layer 81 can be made of granular materials having a high magnetic permeability such as CoFe, NiFe, CoFeB having a soft magnetic property or lamination layer film of the above-mentioned films, e.g., CoFe/NiFe or CoFe/NiFe/CoFe or Co—Al—O or Fe—Al—O.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, on a substrate 51 made of a suitable material such as AlTiC, there are disposed the GMR element 20 and the hard magnetic layers 50, which are used to apply the stabilization bias, at both sides of the GMR element 20 and on which the magnetic shield cum electrode layer 42 is disposed. The insulating layer 52 made of a suitable insulating material such as Al₂O₃ is filled into the space between the magnetic shield cum electrode layers 41 and magnetic shield cum 42.

In this configuration, the sense current I_(S) is conducted between the two between the magnetic shield cum electrode layers 41 and magnetic shield cum 42. That is, the sense current I_(S) flows to the lamination direction of the GMR element 20.

The example of FIG. 10 shows the case in which the magnetic sensing portion, i.e., the GMR element 20 is disposed in an opposing relation to the forward surface 80 which serves as a surface at which the GMR element 20 is brought in contact with or is opposed to the magnetic recording medium. In the case of the flying type magnetic head, for example, the magnetic sensing portion, i.e., the GMR element 20 is disposed in a facing relation to the ABS (air bearing surface).

An example shown in FIG. 11 shows a further example of a magnetic head or a magnetic sensor both using magneto-resistive effect with the aforementioned flux guide structure. As shown in FIG. 11, the GMR element 20 is disposed at the position retreated from the forward surface 80 in the depth direction, the flux guide layer 81, which is magnetically combined with the GMR element 20, is disposed in front of the GMR element 20 and the front end of the flux guide layer 81 is disposed in an opposing relation to the forward surface 80, whereby a magnetic field based upon recorded information from a magnetic recording medium can be introduced into the magnetic head or a magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect magneto-resistive effect.

Although the magneto-resistive effect elements include the magnetic shields cum electrode layers 41 and 42 in the examples shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the present invention is not limited thereto, and electrodes and magnetic shield layers may be provided as separate assemblies and thereby laminated together.

Since this magneto-resistive effect type magnetic head is a reproducing magnetic head, when a magnetic recording and reproducing head is made up from this magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect, it is possible to construct a recording and reproducing head by laminating a conventional magnetic induction type thin-film magnetic head on the second magnetic shield cum electrode layer 42 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a schematic arrangement of a magnetic memory 60 using the CPP type GMR element of the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a circuit arrangement of such magnetic memory 60.

As illustrated, this magnetic memory 60 includes a memory cell disposed in response to an intersection point between a word line (WL) 61 and a bit line (BL) 62 and is comprised of a large number of memory cells arranged in a X-Y matrix fashion.

This memory cell includes a CPP type GMR element 63 and a diode 64 formed of an amorphous silicon film. The CPP type GMR element 63 and the diode 64 are disposed in series, the CPP type GMR element 63 is connected to the word line 61, and the diode 64 is connected to the bit line 62. The diode 64 restricts the sense current I_(S), which flows through the CPP type GMR element 63, so that the sense current I_(S) may flow from the word line 61 to the bit line 62.

According to the above-mentioned arrangement, the magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer of the CPP type GMR element 63 can be inverted by a synthesized magnetic field of a current magnetic field generated by a current I_(W) flowing through the word line 61 and a current magnetic field generated by a current I_(B) flowing through the bit line 62 and thereby this magnetization direction can be recorded as information of “1” or “0”.

When on the other hand recorded information is read out from the magnetic memory 60, the magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer, i.e., contents of information can be read out from the magnetic memory 60 based upon the magnitude of the sense current Is flowing through the CPP type GMR element 63 by effectively utilizing the giant magneto-resistive effect.

Although the magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer is inverted by applying the current magnetic fields of both of the word line 61 and the bit line 62 to the selected memory cell, only any one of the current magnetic fields of the word line 61 and the bit line 62 is applied to a memory cell which is not yet selected so that the magnetization direction cannot be inverted at all. As a consequence, information can be recorded on only a selected memory cell.

Next, the embodiments of the SV type GMR elements will be described.

[Embodiment 1]

In this embodiment, the GMR element had a fundamental configuration formed of the SV type GMR element having the synthetic configuration shown in FIG. 2A. On the first electrode 31, there was formed an underlayer (not shown) made of Ta having a thickness of 5 nm on which the lamination layer structure portion 10 was formed. Further, a protecting layer (not shown) made of similar Ta having a thickness of 5 nm was disposed on this lamination layer structure portion 10. The film arrangement was Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/Cu3/CoNiFe6/Ta 5. This written expression shows the laminated states of the materials comprising the respective layers, and the symbol “/” shows the interface between the respective layers. Moreover, the respective numerical values show thicknesses (nm) of the respective layers, and this relationship applies for the following embodiments as well (see a sample 1 in the following table 1).

Then, in this fundamental configuration, the high-resistance layer R was disposed on only the free layer 4, i.e., only the high-resistance layer R02 shown in FIG. 2B was disposed on the free layer 4, and this high-resistance layer R02 was made up from Co₇₂Fe₈B₂₀ having a thickness of 1 nm (subscript numerals denote atomic percent).

Specifically, in this embodiment, a lamination layer structure of Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/Cu3/CoNiFe6/CoFeB1/Ta5 was disposed between first and second electrodes 31 and 32, each of which is made of Cu having a thickness of 300 nm (sample 2 in the following table 1).

The lamination layer structure portion 10 having the above-mentioned configuration was annealed in the magnetic field of 10 kilooersteds at 270° C. for four hours.

An electrode layer having a thickness of 300 nm was deposited on both surfaces of this lamination layer structure portion 10.

Then, the resultant GMR element was subjected to a patterning process so as to become 0.1 μm×0.1 μm in size.

[Embodiments 2 to 7]

In these embodiments 2 to 7, while the GMR element has a configuration similar to that of the embodiment 1, its high-resistance layer R02 was made of CoFeC having a thickness of 1 nm (sample 3 in the following table 1), CoFeO having a thickness of 2 nm (sample 4 in the following table 1), Ta—O having a thickness of 1 nm (sample 5 in the following table 1) and Ta—O having a thickness of 2 nm, and the free layer 4 is made of CoFe having a thickness of 6 nm (sample 6 in the following table 1). The high-resistance layer R02 was made of Ni—O having a thickness of 2 nm (sample 7 in the following table 1) and Fe—O having a thickness of 2 nm (sample 8 in the following table 1).

[Embodiments 8 to 11]

According to these embodiments 8 to 11, in the configuration of the sample 1 having the above-mentioned structure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, only the high-resistance layer R22, shown in FIG. 2B, is provided at the center of the ferromagnetic layer 21 of the fixed layer 2 having the synthetic structure. This high-resistance layer R22 was made of CoFeB having a thickness of 1 nm (sample 9 in the following table 1), CoFeO having a thickness of 1 nm (sample 10 in the following table 1), CoFeAl having a thickness of 1 nm (sample 11 in the following table 1) and CoFeSi having a thickness of 1 nm (sample 12 in the following table 1), respectively.

[Embodiment 12]

According to this embodiment 12, in the configuration of the sample 1 having the above-mentioned structure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, there are provided the high-resistance layers R21 and R22, shown in FIG. 2B, at the centers of the ferromagnetic layers 21 and 22 of the fixed layer 2 having the synthetic configuration. As the high-resistance layer R21, there was disposed CoFeB having a thickness of 1 nm. Further, as the high-resistance layer R22, there was disposed CoFeO having a thickness of 1 nm (sample 13 in the following table 1).

[Embodiment 13]

Also in this embodiment 13, the magneto-resistive effect element has the fundamental configuration of the sample 1 having the above-mentioned structure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. There is provided only the high-resistance layer R21, shown in FIG. 2B, at the center of the ferromagnetic layer 21 of the fixed layer 2 having the synthetic configuration. As the high-resistance layer R21, there was disposed CoFeO having a thickness of 1 nm. Further, the free layer 4 was made of CoFe having a thickness of 6 nm (sample 14 in the following table 1).

[Embodiment 14]

Also in this embodiment 14, the magneto-resistive effect element has the fundamental configuration of the sample 1 having the above-mentioned structure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this case, there is provided only the high-resistance layer R22, shown in FIG. 2B, at the center of the ferromagnetic layer 22 of the fixed layer 2 having the synthetic configuration. As the high-resistance layer R22, there was disposed CoFeO having a thickness of 1 nm. Further, the free layer 4 was made of CoFe having a thickness of 6 nm (sample 15 in the following table 1).

[Embodiment 15]

Also in this embodiment 15, the magneto-resistive effect element has the fundamental configuration of the sample 1 having the above-mentioned structure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this case, CoFe of the ferromagnetic layer 22 of the fixed layer 2 having the synthetic configuration had a thickness of 3 nm, and the high-resistance layer R22, shown in FIG. 2B, was provided at the position deviated toward the nonmagnetic layer 3 side. At the high-resistance layer R22, there was disposed CoFeO having a thickness of 1 nm. Further, as the high-resistance layer R02, there was disposed CoFeO having a thickness of 2 nm (sample 16 in the following table 1).

The table 1 below shows measured results of element resistances and amounts of resistance change with respect to the above-mentioned respective samples 1 to 16.

TABLE 1 Resistance Element change High- Sample Spin-valve film resistance amount resistance No. configuration (Ω) (Ω) layer remarks 1 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 4.0 0.08 None Comparative Cu3/CoNiFe6/Ta5 example 2 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 24.0 1.266 R02 embodiment Cu3/CoNiFe6/CoFeB1/Ta5 3 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 26.0 1.194 R02 embodiment Cu3/CoNiFe6/CoFeC1/Ta5 4 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 21.5 1.130 R02 embodiment Cu3/CoNiFe6/CoFeO2/Ta5 5 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 30.5 1.850 R02 embodiment Cu3/CoNiFe6/Ta—O1/Ta5 6 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 27.5 1.650 R02 embodiment Cu3/CoNiFe6/Ti—O2/Ta5 7 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 25.0 1.200 R02 embodiment Cu3/CoNiFe6/Ni—O2/Ta5 8 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 22.5 1.334 R02 embodiment Cu3/CoNiFe6/Fe—O2/Ta5 9 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe1/ 24.5 1.172 R22 embodiment CoFeB1/CoFe1/Cu3/CoNiFe6/Ta5 10 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe1/ 18.2 1.048 R22 embodiment CoFeO1/CoFe1/Cu3/CoFe6/Ta5 11 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe1/ 23.8 1.130 R22 embodiment CoFeA101/CoFe1/Cu3/CoNiFe6/ Ta5 12 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe1/ 24.2 0.996 R22 embodiment CoFeSi1/CoFe1/Cu3/CoNiFe6/Ta5 13 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe1/CoFeB1/CoFe1/ 50.2 1.376 R21, embodiment Ru0.9/CoFe1/CoFeO1/CoFe1/Cu3/ R22 CoNiFe6/Ta5 14 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe1/CoFeO1/CoFe1/ 16.8 1.004 R21 embodiment Ru0.9/CoFe2/Cu3/CoFe6/Ta5 15 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe1/ 54.2 2.545 R22 embodiment CoFeO1/CoFe1/Cu3/CoNiFe6/ Ta—O3/Ta5 16 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 48.3 2.387 R22, embodiment CoFeO1/CoFe1/Cu3/CoFe6/CoFeO2/ R02 Ta5 17 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 98.2 3.046 R02 Comparative Cu3/CoNiFe6/CoFeB4/Ta5 example 18 Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/ 84.3 2.717 R22, Comparative CoFeO1/CoFe1/Cu3/CoFe6/CoFeO3/ R01 example Ta5

As is clear from the above-mentioned table 1, it is to be understood that the samples 2 to 16 of the present invention have increased the amounts of resistance change considerably as compared with the sample 1 in which the high-resistance layer is not provided.

Accordingly, when the magnetic sensor and the magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect are made up by using the inventive SV type GMR element having the large amount of resistance change, the detection output of the external magnetic field can be obtained as a large detected output or a large reproduced output.

Further, when the magnetic memory is made up by using the inventive SV type GMR element, the resultant magnetic memory can reliably be operated at high stability.

As described above, according to the present invention, although the high-resistance layer R is provided on the free layer or within the free layer or within the fixed layer, the material of this high-resistance layer is such a high-resistance material different from materials of the free layer or the fixed layer in which the high-resistance layer is disposed.

The free layer may be made of a material based upon Co, CoFe alloy, Ni and NiFe alloy.

On the other hand, as the material of the high-resistance layer, there may be selected a material of a transition material and which can form a stable oxide film.

Further, as the materials of the free layer and the fixed layer, there may be selected materials which can keep down-spinning of electrons which have passed the nonmagnetic layer and which enable the spin-dependence scattering to occur.

As the material of this high-resistance layer, there may be enumerated CoFeB alloy, CoFeAl alloy, CoFeC alloy, CoFeO alloy, CoFeSi alloy, NiFeB alloy, NiFeAl alloy, NiFeC alloy, NiFeSi alloy, NiFeO alloy, CoNiFeB alloy, CoNiFeAl alloy, CoNiFeC alloy, CoNiFeSi alloy, CoNiFeO alloy, CoB-group alloy, CoAl-group alloy, CoC-group alloy, CoSi-group alloy, CoO-group alloy, NiB-group alloy, NiAl-group alloy, NiC-group alloy, NiSi-group alloy, NiO-group alloy, Ta, Ti, Zr, Cr and oxides of these material and nitrides of these materials. When these thin-film layers were distributed on the free layer or within the free layer or within the fixed layer in the form of thin-films, the element resistance of the SV type GMR element could be increased effectively and the amount of resistance change thereof could be increased remarkably.

Then, it is to be desired that the alloy compositions of the above-mentioned CoFeB alloy, CoFeAl alloy and CoFeSi alloy should satisfy 30<Co<90 atomic %, 10<Fe<50 atomic % and 2<B, Al, C, Si<30 atomic %.

Further, similarly, alloy compositions of Ni—Fe-based alloy, CoNiFe-based alloy, Co-based alloy and Ni-based alloy should satisfy 30<Ni, NiCo, Co<90 atomic %, 10<Fe<50 atomic % and 2<B, Al, C, Si<30 atomic %.

Oxides and nitrides of Ta, Ti, Zr and Cr are characterized in that they have amorphous-like elements so that they are stable when they are left in the air.

It is to be desired that when the resistance layer provided within the free layer, for example, is NiFeO, for example, the free layer should be made of NiFe whose composition is close to that of the resistance layer. In this case, it is to be desired that a material containing Co, such as CoFe, should be interposed between the free layer and the nonmagnetic Cu layer as an interface.

As a requirement needed when a magnetic head is to be designed, there may be enumerated a large amount dR of resistance change. In order to improve this amount dR of resistance change, it is necessary to increase the resistance change of the SV type GMR element or to increase MR (magneto-resistance) ratio.

When the high-resistance layer is inserted into the magneto-resistive effect element, the MR ratio of this magneto-resistive effect element exhibited a value equal to that of the SV type GMR element into which the high-resistance layer is not inserted while the MR ratio (dR/R) is not being lowered. Accordingly, since the element resistance was increased by inserting the high-resistance layer into the magneto-resistive effect element, the dR value was increased.

Although more than one layer of high-resistance layers, for example, a plurality of high-resistance layers may be inserted into the magneto-resistive effect element as mentioned before, when the sum total of the thicknesses of the high-resistance layers becomes larger than 4 nm in the size of 0.1 μm×0.1 μm, the element resistance increases too much. As a consequence, when a necessary sense current flows through the magneto-resistive effect element, the magneto-resistive effect element unavoidably produces intensive heat so that the magneto-resistive effect is degraded and noises are increased. Therefore, in the above-mentioned size, for example, in actual practice, it is to be desired that the element resistance should be less than 70Ω, i.e., less than 70Ω×0.1 μm×0.1 μm=0.7Ω·μm².

For example, the sample 17 shown in the table 1 had the configuration of the sample 1 in which a CoFeB layer having a thickness of 4 nm was interposed as the high-resistance layer R02 and in which the alloy compositions were selected to be Ta5/PtMn20/CoFe2/Ru0.9/CoFe2/Cu3/CoNiFe6/CoFeB4/Ta5. In this case, the resultant element resistance became a value larger than 70Ω. In this case, noises were increased.

Further, the sample 18 had the configuration in which a CoFeO layer having a thickness of 1 nm was used as the high-resistance layer R22 and a CoFeO layer having a thickness of 3 nm was used as the high-resistance layer R01. The resultant element resistance became a value larger than 70Ω. In this case, noises were increased.

Although the SV type GMR element of the CPP type according to the present invention has the CPP configuration as described above, this SV type GMR element can increase the element resistance and the amount of resistance change can be improved while the resistance change ratio is being held.

The magneto-resistive effect element, the magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect, the magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect and the magnetic memory according to the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned examples and can be variously modified in the configurations of the present invention in accordance with objects and modes in which they are in use.

According to the present invention, since the element resistance, which was decreased when the magneto-resistive effect element is formed as the CPP configuration, can be compensated for and the high element resistance can be obtained so that the amount of resistance change can be increased, there can be constructed the magneto-resistive effect element, the magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect and the magnetic head magneto-resistive effect which can increase the recording density and which can microminiaturize recording and reproducing bits, accordingly, which can read out signals from these microminiaturized areas at high sensitivity when they are applied to a long-time moving picture processing.

Furthermore, the magnetic memory also is able to increase recording density and can become high in accuracy.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications could be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A magneto-resistive effect element, said magneto-resistive effect element being a giant magneto-resistive element including a lamination layer structure portion in which at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of said fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between said free layer and said fixed layer are laminated and in which a sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of said lamination layer structure portion, wherein said lamination layer structure portion has disposed thereon a high-resistance layer which crosses a path of said sense current, wherein said high-resistance layer is disposed at not less than any one of the inside of said free layer, the surface of said free layer as is opposite to a surface at which it is bonded to said nonmagnetic layer, the inside of said ferromagnetic layer comprising said fixed layer, the inside of said antiferromagnetic layer, and the surface of said antiferromagnetic layer as is opposite to a surface at which it is bonded to said fixed layer.
 2. A magneto-resistive effect element according to claim 1, wherein said high-resistance layer is disposed at other positions than at an interface between the layers comprising said lamination layer structure portion.
 3. A magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect element including a magneto-resistive effect element, said magneto-resistive effect element being a giant magneto-resistive effect element including a lamination layer structure portion in which at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of said fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between said free layer and said fixed layer are laminated and in which a sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of said lamination layer structure portion, wherein said lamination layer structure portion has disposed thereon a high-resistance layer which crosses a path of said sense current, wherein said high-resistance layer is disposed at not less than any one of the inside of said free layer, the surface of said free layer as is opposite to a surface at which it is bonded to said nonmagnetic layer, the inside of said ferromagnetic layer comprising said fixed layer, the inside of said antiferromagnetic layer, and the surface of said antiferromagnetic layer as is opposite to a surface at which it is bonded to said fixed layer.
 4. A magnetic sensor using magneto-resistive effect according to claim 3, wherein said high-resistance layer is disposed at other positions than at an interface between the layers comprising said lamination layer structure portion.
 5. A magnetic head using magneto-resistive effect in which a magneto-resistive effect element is disposed between first and second magnetic shields, said magneto-resistive effect element being a giant magneto-resistive effect element including a lamination layer structure portion in which at least a free layer the magnetization of which is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of said fixed layer and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between said free layer and said fixed layer are laminated with each other and in which a sense current flows to substantially a lamination layer direction of said lamination layer structure portion, a magneto-resistive effect type magnetic head characterized in that said lamination layer structure portion has disposed thereon a high-resistance layer which crosses a path of said sense current, wherein said high-resistance layer is disposed at not less than any one of the inside of said free layer, the surface of said free layer as is opposite to a surface at which it is bonded to said nonmagnetic layer, the inside of said ferromagnetic layer comprising said fixed layer, the inside of said antiferromagnetic layer, and the surface of said antiferromagnetic layer as is opposite to a surface at which it is bonded to said fixed layer.
 6. A magneto-resistive effect type magnetic head according to claim 5, wherein said high-resistance layer is disposed at other positions than at an interface between the layers comprising said lamination layer structure portion. 